Denim is always there: a staple, a wardrobe must-have, something we all have a lot of in our closets. And yet, like things that are always there for us – hot water, the stars and the moon, our better half – it’s easy to take for granted. Denim doesn’t just have to be a background piece, a foundation for more interesting items. It can be the star of the show too! That’s what Forever 21′s latest campaign #allaboutdenim is for – to celebrate our simple wardrobe hero. To give you some inspiration on how to up your denim ante, I teamed up with my blogger bestie Toni from Fashitects for an editorial shoot with three different denim looks. If you know Toni’s blog (and you should, it’s gorgeous) he’s rarely out of a suit, so styling denim looks with him was a chance for us to both get him into more casual attire as well as demonstrate that denim can be smart too.

Hope you like the editorial beauties! Our photographer was the super-talented Bon, who was so much fun to shoot with even though we only had an hour to get the shots done and were practically running around half-dressed on one of the coldest days of the year, brr! If we’ve inspired you to get creative with your denim, be sure to check out Forever 21 for the pieces we’re wearing in the shoot and much more denim goodness. And head on over to Fashitects for more photos from the shoot! x

Coffee, crisp air and cosy clothes – it’s what wintry weekends are all about. Though I’m ready for for some warmer weather to arrive (I was ready before summer even ended last year haha ..!) one of the things I love best about winter is getting to wear coats and jumpers every day. I get my hibernation mode on and pretty much live in the grey vintage jumper I’m wearing in these shots. You probably wouldn’t guess but this jumper is actually one of my most treasured possessions – my mum wore it when she was pregnant with me and looking after me as a baby, which is maybe why I always feel so comforted as soon as I pull it on, as though I’m cosying up in something so filled with love. It’s a precious thought.

Newer pieces I’m wearing here and quickly falling in love with are my tartan coat from Forever 21 (I’ve sworn by Forever 21 this winter season, so impressed with their range and on-point styles, and hope it’ll be the same with their new season collections) and slinky leather-look jeans from 7 For All Mankind. If like me you’ve been hunting for a pair, you can shop mine from Repertoire Fashion in their winter sale. I’ve been loving the super low waist after what feels like an eternity living in high-waisted jeans. My bellybutton has been freed! x

Some photoshoots are planned down to a t, and some seem to fall together at the last minute so elegantly we can’t believe our luck. This shoot with Triumph Motorcycles to celebrate the launch of their gorgeous limited edition Bonneville T214 was definitely one of the latter. Due to a severe weather warning we only had a tiny window of opportunity. We hadn’t even scouted out any locations, the light was fading fast (oh winter, you make it so hard to blog) and we were stuck in traffic on our way up to Leicester where our friend was waiting with the bike. I was prepared for the shoot to be a disaster. But then, as it sometimes inexplicably does, everything just fell into alignment.

As we arrived the clouds broke along the horizon, letting in a warm rush of beautiful orange-pink light, and just round the corner from where our friend was parked we discovered this magical little road, deserted, hidden by a thick bank of trees, and curving mysteriously into the distance under the rush of the pink sky. It seriously felt like a borrowed moment from another world. Since we only had a short timeframe to get the shots we couldn’t be too fussy about getting every camera setting and pose just so, but I kind of like that spontaneous style of shooting. It felt more creative, and reminded us why we started this blog in the first place – to experiment, to broaden our creative skills, and – most importantly – have fun.

Speaking of having fun, Callum and I got a chance to ride pillion and now are super keen on learning how to ride ourselves! There’s just something so free about being on the back of a motorbike. Yes it’s a little scary when you go so fast you start being pushed back in the seat, and yes I did have to ask my friend to take the turns slower to begin with because tilting towards oncoming traffic needed a bit of getting used to! But it was exhilarating – I love the fact that you experience the world around you as you travel. Who knows, perhaps by the end of this year Callum and I will have our own bikes too! And yes, don’t worry, I’ll make sure to swap the heels for a proper pair of motorcycle boots …

I’ve already wished you a very happy new year on Instagram, but there’s no harm in doing it one more time! Especially since my resolutions this year – which I’ve broken into two halves: things to do less, and things to do more – include being extra positive and being sure to compliment others and see the good in all situations. Basically just sending out happy vibes all around! Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean I’m going to be constantly smiling like some sort of crazy (though hopefully fashionable) clown. There will always be situations you struggle to smile though. But the thing I really came to terns with last year is that we all experience those situations. It’s a part of human nature to love and to lose. We can’t always control the things we’ll go through, but we do have some control over how we respond to them. So my number one take from some difficult situations over the past few years is to try to respond as much as I can to whatever the world throws at me with positivity and kindness.

There’s a quote I found on Pinterest (of course), which goes something like, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting battles you know nothing about”. While the internet can often be a very negative place, it also has the wonderful ability to connect people from all over the world. People like me and you, who don’t know each other but can still reach out and talk through our keyboards, share happy moments from our lives on places like Instagram and Twitter. I’ve made a lot of friends through blogging, from those that I’ve met in real life to those I only talk to online but still have an amazing connection with. When I say I’m ill (as I have been this month, hence the belated new year’s post), so many of you reach out to wish me better. It’s little acts of kindness like that which make so much difference.

This year, I’d like to take inspiration from you to do the same, just being as kind and positive I can be towards others – as well as myself. And then maybe, rather than facing our battles alone, we’re a little comforted knowing we’ve got a few brave warriors on our side.

Swagger, confidence, bounce – some outfits just give you that feeling, where it seems as though you can slink into any room and just stride through it with a smile on your lips and happiness in your heart. It’s like this when I’m wearing my favourite pair of leather leggings (it will be a sad day when I’ve finally worn them out). They’re my go-to piece to feel ultra sexy and confident. Paired with heels and my floaty tartan duster coat I definitely spent this day with a little extra stride in my steps …

There’s a little less striding going on today as I write this post with a very happy (and even fuller) belly from the comfort of my onesie at home. The flat has been beautiful these last few days, the bright winter sunshine pouring in from a cloudless sky and tricking me into forgetting just how cold it is outside. I always find there’s something magic in the air after Christmas before the new year hits. Maybe it’s because it’s always a reflective time for me, thinking back on the year we’re about to leave and ahead to the one that’s soon to start. I’ll be honest: these past few months haven’t been easy for me. I’ve struggled balancing travel, blogging, writing, the never-ending admin work of being self-employed, health and all the social activities in the run up to Christmas, and when the winter holidays began it was like my body and mind just completely checked out. It’s reminded me how important it is to look after not just your body but your mind – it needs a time-out too every once in a while!

I’ll share a few more intimate thoughts and feelings about the year just passed, as well as the one to come, in my next post. But for now rest is calling me again, for just one more day or two of total relaxed bliss enjoying long winter walks, snuggling up with a book in bed, candlelit baths, two-hour long yoga sessions, dreaming of scenes to write for new book, and best of all – time with my family and friends.

Wishing you time too to just check-out every once in a while, and enjoy the beauty of each little moment. Happy holidays sweethearts! See you in 2015! x